"California-based Pacific Union College has received the single largest private gift in its 132 history, a $2.4 million donation that will be used to launch a major philanthropic drive.
The unrestricted contribution from the estate of the late philanthropist Stephen Ball will provide the seed money for the newly established Heritage Campaign, which will support a variety of unspecified college projects.
“Our campaign will affirm PUC’s heritage of excellence and innovation, forge a legacy of service for our world, and support a compelling learning community,” said Walter Collins, the college’s vice president for advancement and alumni relations. “Mr. Ball’s generosity will be the bright spark that helps bring this vision to life.”
Ball lived in St. Helena, a town located 8 miles north of the college, for the 20 years until his death in April. He was born in 1944 in Berkeley, California, and attended Armstrong College, a private liberal arts college in Berkeley, the college said.
“Stephen Ball understood the mission and the impact that Pacific Union College has had throughout its history, and we’re honored to receive this gift at a time when our college in on a historic upward trajectory,” college President Heather Knight said in a statement.
The college, founded as Healdsburg College in 1882, currently has its largest enrollment in 24 years, a total of 1,678 students, and its freshman to sophomore retention rate has grown from 71 percent to 85 percent over the past three years.
Susan Baxter, a longtime friend of Ball, said the philanthropist made the donation because he backed Pacific Union College’s mission statement to “offer an excellent Christ-centered education that prepares its students for productive lives of useful human service and uncompromising personal integrity.”
“Stephen was a generous soul, and he appreciated those around him who made a difference in the community,” Baxter said in the statement. “Pacific Union College is such an asset to the Napa Valley community, and Stephen wanted to support the mission of the college.”"
Original article: http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/pacific-union-college-gets-record-$2.4m-gift
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